Omaha daily bee., 1887-09-25
Women in Government service.

The employment of women in the SER
vice Of the government does not date very
far back. So far as any record shows.
their first employment was during the
administration of President Pierce, when
the copying of land warrants was given
out to women to take to their homes.
This, however, was not done openly. The
work was nominally given to somc male
relation of the family. In Buchapan's
time this was stopped, but toward the
latter part of his administration the first
woman clerk was appointed in the treas
ury, as temporary expedient and IN
disguise. Without any law or regulation
the system of the employment of female
clerks gradually grew up in the treasury,
and thence extended to other depart
ments. The number of women now
in the employment of the govern
ment at Washington is large, and for the
most part they make faithful and efficient
clerks. though there have been times in
the past when good deal of complaint
was made regarding themE
Among those who advocated the en-
ployment of women none was more earn
est than General Grant when president.
He believed they should have fair and
equal start with men, and his influence
was many times used in their behalf.
Mr.. Boutwell,, when secretary of the
treasury, was friend of women and en-
couraged their employment and promo
ton. They had another warm friend in
General Spinner, who regarded their
services in the treasury in certain capaci-
ties as especially desirable and
valuable. On the whole. how
ever, women have had to encounter more
opposition than favor to their employ
ment in the government service, and
they are not especially favored by any Of
the heads of departments under the
present administration. 1t is said that in
making selections from the eligible civil
service lists men are almost invariably
| chosen.
This experience will probably induce
the advocates of the employment of
women in the public service to make an
effort to secure an amendment to the
civil service act which will give women
an equal chance with men. There is
nothing in the act to prevent the EN-.
| ployment of women, but there is also
nothing in it 10 provide that they shall
be employed. Their employment de-
pends entirely upon the appointing
power. If the appointing officers have a
prejudice against the employment of
women they simply will not ask to have
them certified, and scores of women who
have passed excellent competitive exam
nations will remain uncalled for. and
will be on the eligible list for an in
definite period without any probability
of appointment. The civil service com.
mission reports that the excess of female
applicants is much greater than that OF
males, and that six times rs many males
as females are requested by the depart
ments for appointment. The commits
sion can do no more then send persons OF
the sex asked for. and thus the way is
clear for those appointing officers who
are unfavorable to women clerks to dis
criminate against them. There will
probably be no difference Of opinion upon
the proposition that while the law does
not exclude women from competitive ex
animation for clerkships, but virtually
invites them to enter, it ought to give
them an equal chance with men for ap-
pointment. Undoubtedly this view will
be urged upon congress by the advocates
of wOman's employment, with the proba
Bile result of having the law amended az
they desire.